Drunken James Crowe, aged 57, of Burslem, who spat on a police officer on the way to the station on September 25;

Shoplifter Jason Parry, aged 38, of Hanley, who smashed his foot through a patrol car window causing glass to shatter in an officer’s face on August 12;

Reveller Jamie Simpson, aged 32, of Bignall End, who bit a police officer on the hand after he was ejected from a Newcastle bar on May 27;

Thief Michael Karchut, aged 28, of Longton, who kicked a police officer after she spotted him walking down a street carrying a pressure washer on May 26.

Chief Constable Gareth Morgan is writing impact statements

Chief Constable Gareth Morgan said incidents where his officers are injured should not be seen as ‘part and parcel’ of the job.

Mr Morgan said: “All too often police officers and staff are subjected to assaults and threats. While the severity of attacks changes, the impact upon society does not.

“It is never acceptable to assume that assaults on police officers should be tolerated, they are not ‘part of the job’.

“While it is clear the nature of policing requires officers to handle difficult and hostile situations, assaults are unacceptable.

“On average in Staffordshire an officer gets assaulted every day. These assaults result in them being absent through sickness which clearly impacts on the community as it limits the service we can offer.”

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Mr Morgan signed off seven impact statements in the space of a week earlier this month.

He added: “My colleagues suffer not just physical injuries but also the psychological effects. Many find the return to frontline especially challenging.

“Morale is also significantly impacted when officers and staff see their colleagues being assaulted and abused. This, in turn, can damage the ability of the force to recruit new people.”

Assaults on officers can range from spitting or shoving to biting and punching.

PCSO Chris Hill couldn't work for almost a year after being injured

One of the most serious incidents in Stoke-on-Trent saw Hanley PCSO Chris Hill seriously injured after being propelled from a police van by criminal Philip Alaimo.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard how a neck injury meant Mr Hill was unable to return to work for nearly a year following the assault in the summer of 2016. Alaimo, aged 28, of Cobridge, was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

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He said: “When bodycams came in, there was a perception it was to keep the police in line, but it’s the reverse. It’s been eye-opening for the public to see what our staff have to deal with. There is a point where enough is enough.”

Staffordshire Police Federation is notified every time there is an attack on an officer.

Federation chairman, and serving officer, Keith Jervis

Chairman Keith Jervis said: “Too many times we have overlooked the fact police officers are human beings with families and the effects of an assault can be life-long both physically and mentally.

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“It’s not ‘part of the job’ to be punched, kicked, spat on, or assaulted in anyway. Those who do so in future should be punished severely.

“We are always trying to keep our officers safe. We were one of the first police force’s to introduce spit guards, which I know have been used many. Body worn video is also both an aid to detection and a visible deterrent.”